With 24 co-sponsors, a bill introduced by Rep. James Sensenbrenner (R-WI) has the full support of several large, diverse organizations working together to repeal the Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS). H.R. 875 was reported out of the House Science, Space and Technology Committee in April 2014 and is waiting for House floor action.

The coalition has prepared a list of talking points for use when meeting with Congressional representatives during the current recess.

Sample talking points include:

• As you know, last year the House Energy and Commerce (E&C) Committee held several hearings and prepared a bipartisan white paper on adverse impacts of the RFS

• The committee is considering a short-term bridge to provide more stability to the market and address some of the immediate concerns

• In particular, the E&C Committee is interested in moving on an amended version of H.R. 875.

H.R. 875 would commission a study by the National Academy of Science on E-15 and rescind the E-15 waiver during the course of study. The edits under committee consideration would include broadening the study beyond E-15 and replacing the waiver rescission with a codification of the Environmental Protection Agency’s proposed volumes for 2014 and 2015 during the course of the study.

“While MRAA believes this is not a long-term fix, nor is it as much as Congress can and should do,” says MRAA president Matt Gruhn, “at the very least, this action would prevent the problem from worsening as the House continues working toward a more permanent solution.”

The E&C Committee is considering floor action under suspension of the rules. The Senate also will need to take action before an amended H.R. 875 can be sent to the President.